China's technology regulator has rejected criticism of proposed internet rules that could block access to foreign websites, insisting the measures are not just a covert way to tighten control over cyberspace.
Experts have said the draft regulations, like many laws in China, could be interpreted broadly and, in extreme cases, could give authorities the power to shut off access to all websites that have not registered their web addresses in the country.
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said in its proposed revisions to domain name management regulations, that Chinese websites must use domestic domain registration services or risk being cut off in China and facing fines up to 30,000 yuan ($A6,020.15).
The ministry has since told Reuters there was "misunderstanding" about the regulations which "did not fundamentally conflict" with global practices.
The rules "do not involve websites that are accessed overseas, do not affect users from accessing the related internet content and do not affect the normal development of business for overseas companies in China," it said in an email on Wednesday.
Some of China's biggest websites including Alibaba Group Holding Ltd's Taobao and Tmall are registered overseas, according to the www.whois.net site, which provides information on the registration of websites.
"We are closely examining the draft regulation and will provide appropriate input," a Baidu spokesman told Reuters.
China has long operated the world's most sophisticated online censorship mechanism, known as the Great Firewall. The websites for Google's services, Facebook and Twitter are all inaccessible in China.
Under President Xi Jinping, the government has implemented an unprecedented increase in internet control, and sought to codify the policy within the law.
China's top internet regulator, Lu Wei, has said the government is not being too restrictive. Officials say controls help maintain social stability and national security in the face of threats such as terrorism.
